Commission Board Meeting on Mon, March 21, 2005 - 8:30 AM


Meeting Information

      -Convene

      -Pledge of Allegiance

 

CONSENT AGENDA

      (1) (a)   Consider approval of Commission Orders

            (b)   Consider approval of 2004 Township Annual Reports (Debbie Sparkes)

(c)      Consider approval of Resolution establishing revised design and construction standards for local and collector roads in unincorporated <1/2xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Douglas County (Keith Browning)

 

REGULAR AGENDA

      (2)    Accept recommendation from Palmyra Township regarding proposed minimum maintenance Road (N 300 Road) (Keith Browning/Michael Kelly)

 

      (3)    Consider approval of nine (9) Out-District College Tuition statements in the amount of $15,972 (Debbie Sparkes)

     

      (4)    Discuss whether the County should contribute a portion of the cost of proposed housing study (Charles Jones)

 

      (5)    Other Business

(a)   Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)

Jones called the meeting to order at 8:32 A.M. on Monday, March 21, 2005 with all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

CONSENT AGENDA 03-21-05
Johnson moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:

  • Approve Commissioners Order No. 5307. Order is on file in the Office of the County Clerk;
  • Approve 2004 Township Annual Reports; and
  • Approve Resolution No. 05-15 providing minimum design and construction standards for local and collector roads and streets, and other public improvements, other than in industrial and commercial subdivisions in Douglas County, Kansas.

Motion was seconded by Jones and carried unanimously.

Johnson then directed staff to explore issue of whether acceptance of the township reports implied any responsibility on any part of the County Commissioners of what was contained in the reports.

PUBLIC WORKS & TOWNSHIPS 03-21-05
On November 15, 2004, the Board approved Resolution No. 04-35 providing for the installation of a gate on N 300 Road (Permanent Road Record No. 191) in Palmyra Township for a six (6) month period with the stipulation that if the road is declared minimum maintenance, the gate shall remain. The Board also agreed to take the position that installation of gates on roads should not be allowed unless the road has been declared "minimum maintenance" and directed staff to convey to the Planning Commission that minimum maintenance roads shall allow the installation of gates. The Palmyra Township Board, on behalf of Don Parr, requested permission for this gate and the Board initiated the process for declaring the road as "minimum maintenance" for the portion of N 300 Road beyond the gate. The Palmyra Township Board conducted a public hearing to accept comment regarding the "minimum maintenance" declaration and recommended not to pursue the declaration. Keith Browning, Director of Public Works/County Engineer, explained that it appears the property owner that originally requested the gate has abandoned his plans for its erection and is now pursuing development of the property under the 5 acre exemption to the County's subdivision regulations. Browning also explained that the next step in the process would require a recommendation from the Planning Commission if the County wishes to proceed.

Michael Kelly, County Surveyor, noted that staff's definition of this road is a road of record not being traveled.

Jones stated he believed this illustrates a number of bad policies and the Board needs to do something about the 5 acre exemption. He noted he believed it should be forwarded to the Planning Commission for their input.

McElhaney made a motion to accept the recommendation received from Palmyra Township.

Johnson noted concerns that if it is sent to the Planning Commission, it will be pushed aside because of the overall context of the rural subdivision and could be hung up for some time. Johnson recommended that representatives from Palmyra Township be invited to talk with the Board regarding this issue.

McElhaney withdrew his motion. No action was taken.

The Board directed staff to notify the nine (9) townships that they will no longer consider changes in status for township-maintained roads unless at least one township board member authorized to speak for the township board is present at the Commission meeting for discussion.

OUT-DISTRICT TUITION STATEMENTS 03-21-05
Jones made a motion to approve the nine (9) Out-District College Tuition Statements in the amount of $15,972. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried with McElhaney opposed.

MISCELLANEOUS 03-21-05
At their meeting on March 16, 2005, the Board directed Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, to work out details with the City Manager regarding participation in a service that Aquila helped underwrite concerning a community housing assessment team. Weinaug confirmed the study included the other three (3) cities within Douglas County and that the cost would be $9,000 ($3,000 for the City, the County and Aquila). After discussion, Jones moved approval of the expenditure of $3,000 for the study; Johnson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 03-21-05
Johnson moved approval of accounts payable in the amount of $358,296.19 to be paid 03/21/05; accounts payable manual checks in the amount of $1,368.24; payroll in the amount of $622,193.94; and electronic funds transfers in the amounts of $44,757.50 for FICA and $41,410.63 for KPERS to be paid 03/18/05. Motion was seconded by Jones and carried unanimously.

PUBLIC WORKS 03-21-05
Scott Chesbro appeared before the Board to discuss the Board's denial of a request received from Phil and Kerry Metsker for an entrance permit onto Route 1-E along the north side of the east arm of Lone Star Lake. No action was taken.

Jones made a motion to adjourn; Johnson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

 

_____________________________ _____________________________
Charles Jones, Chairman                     Bob Johnson, Member

ATTEST:

_____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk                   Jere McElhaney, Member

Location

County Courthouse
1100 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA